2010 media accreditation begins in December

“The first step when applying for any FIFA World Cup media accreditation is to register at FIFA Media Channel (media.fifa.com), click on the new user registration and get a password,” Sifiso Cele, LOC media accreditation manager, told journalists.

The password, if the registration is successful and accepted, will give the applicant a ‘visa' to go on to the website and launch his or her application, the procedure for which must include attaching a copy of a press card.

The media accreditation process, which is open only to professional media - permanent or freelance - closes on 31 January 2010. Late applications will not be considered and will be rejected outright. The accreditation process is, however, only the first step in the FIFA screening process and is NO guarantee that accreditation will in fact be granted.

“As in previous World Cup finals, each football association will be allotted a quota of written press and photographers' accreditations,” Cele said.

Mum on numbers and criteria

Asked about the criteria to be used to give applicants the thumbs-up and how many journalists have been allowed to be accredited in each country, Cele replied: “We know the criteria and the number but FIFA told us not to tell anyone due to security reasons.”

He said correspondents for foreign newspapers working in South Africa must submit their request for accreditation to their respective national associations in their home country.

“Freelance journalists and photographers must register on the FIFA Media Channel and then apply for accreditation just like everyone else.”

However, the LOC stressed that applying for media accreditation through the FIFA Media Channel does NOT guarantee an automatic accreditation - it is only the first step in the screening process. Furthermore, the FIFA website Media Channel website states: "Only registered users of the Media Channel will be able to apply for accreditation to FIFA events and competitions.” (When Bizcommunity.com attempted to register, however, we could not get beyond the Welcome screen.) In the event of problems accessing the online registration form, applicants are invited to email .

Reasons for rejection will be provided

Cele stressed that applicants will be informed on email whether their applications were successful or not. And if they ‘pass the test' (review process and security checks), they will be asked to collect their media tags at one of 11 media accreditation centres across the country after having had their photos taken.

Media accreditation devices include the accreditation card, match tickets, parking tickets, SADs (supplementary accreditation devices) for press conferences, match day, mixed zone, tribune and pitch.

SADs are applied for on an event-to-event basis, LOC media operations manager Jens-Peter Hecht said.

Furthermore, Cele said that if anyone's application is rejected, they will be provided with reasons and they will be asked to motivate their applications, and their organisations may get in touch with FIFA and LOC to ‘take it to the next level'.

Media managers claim process is ‘flawed'

Many media managers were left with egg in their face during the 2009 Confederations Cup, and they slammed FIFA and LOC for what they called a “flawed process” after their journalists, camera crews and photographers were denied media accreditation.

The world soccer governing body rejected that criticism, however, but Cele insisted that FIFA wishes for a minimum participation of media to avoid the case of “some unwanted people” coming to “disturb those who are working”.

“The accreditation application process is to identify and register all participants involved, that is why we want to ensure that the right people are in the right place at the right time,” Quinton Dicken, LOC media operations security coordinator, said.

Meanwhile, the media accreditation for the 4 December final draw in Cape Town began on 1 October and will close on 31 October 2009.

Visit media.fifa.com.